What are the best practices for sanitizing front office equipment and supplies?

1 Choose the right products

Not all cleaning products are suitable for sanitizing front office equipment and supplies. Some may be too harsh, corrosive, or flammable, and damage the materials or cause hazards. Others may not be effective enough to kill the germs and viruses that can cause illnesses. You should always read the labels and instructions of the products you use, and make sure they are approved by the relevant authorities and comply with the safety standards. You should also wear gloves, masks, and eye protection when handling the products, and store them in a secure and ventilated place.

2 Clean before sanitizing

Cleaning and sanitizing are not the same thing. Cleaning refers to removing dirt, dust, and debris from the surfaces of the equipment and supplies, while sanitizing refers to reducing or eliminating the germs and viruses that can cause infections. Cleaning is a necessary step before sanitizing, as it helps to remove any organic matter that can interfere with the effectiveness of the sanitizing products. You should use a damp cloth, sponge, or brush to wipe or scrub the surfaces of the equipment and supplies, and then dry them with a clean towel or paper towel.

3 Sanitize frequently and thoroughly

Sanitizing should be done regularly and thoroughly, especially for the equipment and supplies that are frequently touched or shared by staff or customers. These include keyboards, mice, monitors, phones, pens, staplers, scissors, calculators, clipboards, folders, and so on. You should use a disinfectant spray, wipe, or solution to sanitize these items, and follow the directions on the product label. You should also pay attention to the contact time, which is the amount of time the product needs to stay on the surface to kill the germs and viruses. You should not wipe or rinse the product off before the contact time is over.

4 Dispose of waste properly

After sanitizing front office equipment and supplies, you should dispose of any waste materials properly. These include used gloves, masks, wipes, paper towels, and so on. You should place them in a sealed plastic bag, and then in a trash can with a lid. You should also wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling the waste materials. You should also empty the trash can regularly, and sanitize it as well.

5 Educate and communicate

Sanitizing front office equipment and supplies is not only a responsibility of the cleaning staff, but also of everyone who works or visits the front office. You should educate and communicate with your staff and customers about the importance of sanitizing front office equipment and supplies, and the best practices to follow. You should also post signs, posters, or stickers around the front office to remind people to sanitize their hands, wear masks, practice social distancing, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. You should also provide adequate supplies of sanitizing products, such as disinfectant sprays, wipes, hand sanitizers, and so on, for everyone to use.